Boston @ Tampa Bay preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 15, 2012 ) Boston 7, Tampa Bay 3

A six-game road trip to American League East leaders Baltimore and New York all but torpedoed the division title hopes of the Tampa Bay Rays, who also face a severe uphill climb to snare the second wild-card slot. The Rays have dropped five of six to fall five games behind the front-running Yankees in the East and four back of Baltimore for the second wild card. One positive is the schedule, which has Tampa Bay facing division lightweights Boston and Toronto in its next nine games.

The Rays will send rookie right-hander Alex Cobb to the mound Monday night to open a four-game home set with the Red Sox. Tampa Bay has lost seven of 12 to Boston this season, but the teams haven't met since the first series immediately after the All-Star break. The Red Sox have since plummeted to the bottom of the AL East and are 4-14 in their last 18. Manager Bobby Valentine said his team has the "weakest (September) roster ... in the history of baseball.''

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), SUN (Tampa Bay)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Aaron Cook (3-10, 5.18 ERA) vs. Rays RH Alex Cobb (9-8, 4.26)

Cook has lost five consecutive decisions and is 1-9 since the beginning of July. His trademark sinker betrayed him in his last outing against the Yankees and resulted in a pair of homers in a 5-4 loss. He pitched well in his previous start at Seattle, allowing two runs in six innings. Cook brings a 1-5 record and 5.18 ERA in six road outings as he looks to avoid losing his fourth straight start.

Cobb has been the polar opposite of Cook. He has won five straight decisions and is 8-0 since Aug. 1. He pitched only 4 2/3 innings and did not factor in the decision last time out at Baltimore, however, giving up two runs on seven hits. Cobb was victorious in his only start against the Red Sox, yielding two runs - one earned - in five innings at Boston on May 25. He has won his last three home starts, giving up a combined three runs in 23 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Cobb's ERA is nearly two runs lower at home (3.34) than on the road (5.19).

2. Boston's next defeat will clinch its first losing season since 1997.

3. Rays RF Sam Fuld was forced to leave Sunday's game due to a mild right hamstring sprain.